Solicitor in Belfast

The Solicitor will be responsible for dealing with delegated work within their own areas of competence and achieving performance targets as set by the practice. The Solicitor will provide expert legal support and advice to clients. He/she will be responsible for offering support to other Heads of Departments, Partners, Managing Officers and/or Directors. He/she will manage their own caseload and deal with clients.

Furthermore, he/she will be expected to supervise and educate fee earners as they work on their individual caseloads, and positively promote quality of service to clients, raising the quality level and creating new business for the practice whenever possible.

Purpose/Main Objectives

• To support all practice decisions, carrying out any actions required.
• To provide any support required by the Heads of Departments, Partners, Managing Officers, Directors, and fee earners.
• To act on behalf of Heads of Departments as required.
• To be alert when acting for clients of other legal services they may require and to refer clients to other departments within the firm when it is appropriate.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Deal with delegated cases as required, reporting progress to the Head of Department, Partner, Managing Officer and/or Directors; act on behalf of clients in disputes and represent them in court.
• Deal with all aspects of immigration litigation, review all files, work on all aspects of the cases. Prepare for hearings, appeal hearings, judicial review hearings, prepare all aspects of cases, issue proceedings, and all aspects of the trial (if applicable).
• Liaise with clients and other professionals such as barristers in a prompt and professional manner; coordinate the work of all parties involved; instruct barristers or specialist advocates to appear in court for the client in a complex dispute.
• Advise and negotiate with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives.
• Research and analyse documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of advice and procedure.
• Always act in a trustworthy and confidential manner; have integrity and sensitivity.
• Ensure quality of service levels are to standard.
• Follow internal methods, policies, and procedures as set by the Office Manual.
• Remain informed of changes in any area of specialisation, such that service quality is always maintained.
• Carry out file reviews as appropriate.
• Prepare Briefs to Counsel; deal with correspondence, adhere to accurate and comprehensive file management and maintenance practices of caseload according to company policy and procedures.
• Maintenance of diaries & time recording.
• Work as part of a team and give concise and reasonable instructions.
• Conduct legal research and gather relevant information on a case, including researching the facts of the case as well as identifying the appropriate laws, judicial decisions, and legal articles relevant to the case.
• Draft legal documents, prepare applications, application for administrative reviews.
• Take statements from witnesses and other parties; interview clients and pass on relevant information.
• Carry out other types of administrative duties such as billing, invoicing, time recording, compile litigation bundles, deal with correspondence, collect and organise evidence; calculate claims for damages, compensation, maintenance.
• Network with clients and build valuable relationships in a way that enhances the company’s reputation and cultivates new business opportunities.
• Assist during trial by taking notes, preparing exhibits, preparing files, and reading court transcripts.
• Responsible for reporting progress to the Head of Department.
• Use the company’s case management system.
• Any other ad hoc duties as directed by the Head of Department, Partner, Managing Officer and/or Directors.

Relationships

• Internal: Supportive to the Directors, Heads of Department, Partner, Managing Officer and colleagues.
• External: Promoting the practice wherever possible through PR and quality of service.

Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience of dealing with relevant department cases.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise, and understand the importance of deadlines.
• Highly organised; able to be productive, flexible and simultaneously manage multiple cases and priorities in a performance driven environment.
• Superior research skills and data maintenance skills.
• Strong client relationship skills; the ability to establish positive, cooperative and professional relationships, both internal and external.
• Be highly trustworthy, discreet, and use good judgement.
• Able to work well under pressure, without sacrificing a high attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication are essential.
• Good commercial awareness and analytic skills.
• Self-starter and the ability to work autonomously; proactive and eager to learn.
• Self-awareness and a commitment to using feedback to learn and develop as a professional.
• Ability to read, digest and process vast amounts of information into data that can be used in a legal case.